Post navigation

54 Day Rosary Novena – Day 33

Today we celebrate one of the great ones of our Catholic Faith. St. James the Greater. There is nothing like a family having two vocations in the family, but James’ family had two apostles. Two called by Jesus Himself. James was the brother of John the Evangelist and son of Zebedee. The Gospels called them “Sons of thunder.” They were not born saints, as is no one. We all have to work day by day to respond to the call to holiness. It’s a major work. You cannot let your guard up for one minute or you are bound to begin sliding backwards. But James, and his brother John followed our Lord faithfully to the cross. Today, John is hailed as he has been for centuries at Compestela, Spain. Pilgrims have flowed to his tomb by the thousands since the 10th century. There is an old saying: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith.” The lives of the martyrs and saints inspire others to “take up your cross and follow me.” There is nothing inspiring about a dead Church, about people who have no zeal for Jesus Christ. Each one of us must take up our cross and follow Him. Taking up the cross means living the faith uncompromisingly with zeal, in season and out of season. If our life flows from our prayer, which flows from our heart, we will be transformed and be the same power of witness that James and all of our brethren in the kingdom were when they walked in the valley of tears.

Quotes:

“Become a saint, and do so quickly.” – St. John Paul II

“Do not be afraid to become the saints of the new millennium!” – St. John Paul II

“The saints are the only really happy people on earth.” – Fr. John Hardon

“Saints are not born, saints are made.” – Eileen George

“To begin is for everyone. To persevere is for saints.” St. Josemaria Escrivá

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.” – St. Clement I, Pope

“If you want to get wet, go out to where it is raining; If you want to be a saint, find one and hang out with him.” – Peter Kraft

“All the science of the saints is included in these two things: To do, and to suffer. And whoever had done these two things best, has made himself most saintly.” – St. Francis de Sales

“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux

In petition (first 27 days): Hail, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, my Mother Mary, hail! At thy feet I humbly kneel to offer thee a Crown of Roses, full-blown white roses, tinged with the red of the passion, to remind thee of thy glories, fruits of the sufferings of thy Son and thee, each rose recalling to thee a holy mystery, each 10 bound together with my petition for a particular grace. O Holy Queen, dispenser of God’s graces, and Mother of all who invoke thee! Thou canst not look upon my gift and fail to see its binding. As thou receivest my gift, so wilt thou receive my petition; from thy bounty thou wilt give me the favor I so earnestly and trustingly seek. I despair of nothing that I ask of thee. Show thyself my Mother!

In thanksgiving (last 27 days):Hail, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, my Mother Mary, hail! At thy feet I gratefully kneel to offer thee a Crown of Roses full blown white roses, tinged with the red of the passion, to remind thee of thy glories, fruits of the sufferings of thy Son and thee each rose recalling to thee a holy mystery; each ten bound together with my petition for a particular grace. O Holy Queen, dispenser of God s graces, and Mother of all who invoke thee! thou canst not look upon my gift and fail to see its binding. As thou receivest my gift, so wilt thou receive my thanksgiving; from thy bounty thou bast given me the favor I so earnestly and trustingly sought. I despaired not of what I asked of thee, and thou hast truly shown thyself my Mother.

Say: The Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

For each of the following Mysteries, say: Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

The Resurrection – Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

Concluding Prayer: I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of faith and humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

The Ascension – Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

Concluding Prayer: I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of hope and humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit – Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

Concluding Prayer: I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of charity and humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

The Assumption of Mary – Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be.

Concluding Prayer: I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of union with Christ and humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

In thanksgiving (last 27 days): Sweet Mother Mary, I offer thee this Spiritual Communion to bind my bouquets in a wreath to place upon thy brow in thanksgiving for (specify request) which thou in thy love hast obtained for me. Hail, Mary, etc.

Intentions:

For the spiritual and temporal needs of Holy Ghost Parish, and the personal intentions of all praying this novena. (Add your own personal intentions.)

Share this:

Like this:

Related

About admin

Fr. Finelli was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Providence on June 13, 1992. He is an avid Mac user. Father has been designing websites since 1995 and is the host of the iPadre Catholic Podcast, which he founded in 2005. His hobby is Live Steam railroading in 1-1/2" scale.